Pre-stressed press frame

Claim 2

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members; thrust members spacing the load-bearing members apart; and tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, each plate having at least one bilaterally projecting end portion integral with the respective plate, the bilaterally projecting end portion of each plate, defining force-transmitting surfaces at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the respective traction member and force being transmitted to the respective loadbearing member by the direct abutment of the force transmitting surfaces.

Claim 3

The press frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thrust members are hollow and the traction members extend longitudinally within the thrust members.

Claim 4

The press frame as claimed in claim 2 wherein the load-bearing members have openings, extending in the direction of pressing, through which openings the traction members exteNd, and in which adaptors are provided between the laterally-projecting end portions of the plates and the sides of the load-bearing members remote from the space between the load-bearing members.

Claim 5

A press frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traction members are formed of plates in the general shape of a chain link providing an aperture therethrough, the thrust members being arranged in the apertures of the plates and extending parallel to the axis of the press frame.

Claim 6

A press frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein two thrust members are provided in each of the apertures in the plates.

Claim 7

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members spacing the load-bearing members apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust members being hollow and the traction members extending longitudinally within the thrust members, each plate forming the traction members having at least one bilaterally projecting end portion transmitting force to the respective load-bearing member, the load-bearing members having openings, extending in the direction of pressing, through which openings the traction members extend, and a bundle of said plates extending through each said opening and each opening being of a size generally equal to the cross-section of the bundle when not subjected to tensile stress, the openings also having a slot of a size which is at least as large as the cross-sectional dimensions of the bilaterally-projecting end portion of a plate.

Claim 8

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members spacing the load-bearing members apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust members being hollow and the traction members extending longitudinally within the thrust members, each plate forming the traction members having at least one bilaterally projecting end portion transmitting force to the respective load-bearing member, the load-bearing members having openings, extending in the direction of pressing, through which openings the traction members extend, and a bundle of said plates extending through each said opening and each opening being of a size generally equal to the cross-section of the bundle when not subjected to tensile stress, the openings also having a slot of a size which is at least as large as the cross-sectional dimensions of the bilaterally-projecting end portion of a plate.

Claim 9

The press frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot is located in the central region of the opening.

Claim 10

The press frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot is located at one side of the opening.

Claim 11

The press frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein a spacer member, which has a thickness of at least equal to the thickness of a plate, is arranged adjacent to the respective load-bearing member so as laterally to fix the plates relatively to the opening and to the slot.

Claim 12

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members, spacing the load-bearing members apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust members being hollow and the traction members extending longitudinally within the thrust members, each plate forming the traction members having at least one bilaterally-projecting end portion transmitting force to the respective load-bearing member, the load-bearing members having openings, extending in the direction of pressing, through which openings the tractions members extend, and a bundle of plates extending through each said opening and each opening being of a size generally equal to the cross-section of the bundle, when not subjected to tensile stress, the openings being recesses on the outside of the load-bearing members, and cover members covering the outsides of the recesses.

Claim 13

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members, spacing the load-bearing members apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust members being hollow and the traction members extending longitudinally within the thrust members, each plate forming the traction members having at least one bilaterally-projecting end portion transmitting force to the respective load-bearing member, the load-bearing members having openings, extending in the direction of pressing, through which openings the tractions members extend, and a bundle of plates extending through each said opening and each opening being of a size generally equal to the cross-section of the bundle, when not subjected to tensile stress, the openings being recesses on the outside of the load-bearing members, and cover members covering the outsides of the recesses.

Claim 14

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members spacing the load-bearing apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust member being hollow and the traction members extending within the thrust members, the thrust members being of rectangular cross-section and axially-spaced strengthening ribs being provided internally at the corners of the cross-section.

Claim 15

A pre-stressed press frame, comprising: two opposed load-bearing members, thrust members spacing the load-bearing apart, tensioned traction members interconnecting the load-bearing members and applying thrust to the thrust members, the traction members being in the form of plates, the thrust member being hollow and the traction members extending within the thrust members, the thrust members being of rectangular cross-section and axially-spaced strengthening ribs being provided internally at the corners of the cross-section.